Film4+1 to be axed in favour of new C4 repeats channel

Channel 4's new repeats channel Channel 4+1 will replace Film4+1 on digital platforms when it launches in August.

It is understood that Channel 4 has taken the decision to axe its time-shifted movie channel as it accounts for less viewing than the options of cutting E4+1 or More4+1. It is unclear at this stage where Channel 4+1 will appear on electronic programme guides.

On Sky's EPG, Film4+1 sits in the movies section at position 316, while E4+1 and More4+1 appear at 139 and 172 respectively. Film4+1 is one of only two movie repeats channels, the other being Sky Premiere+1.

Time-shifted viewing channels can add 10 to 20% extra viewers to the mother channel, and Channel 4, which will be the first terrestrial channel to launch a repeats add-on, is keen to boost its audience share in a tough TV advertising market.

With growing digital homes penetration in the run-up to analogue switch-off - Ofcom reported last week that it had reached 80.5% of all homes in the first quarter - the opportunities for repeats channels are becoming more attractive.

Of the commercial terrestrial channels, Channel 4 is arguably the best placed to launch a +1 channel, since ITV already repeats much of its top programming on ITV2, while Five also puts its hits on Five Life and on Five US.

Confirmation of the launch of Channel 4+1, which has been rumoured for some time, came in the week that Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan announced a strategic review of the channel's public service broadcasting purpose and plans to extend its PSB accountability measures across digital channels and websites.

Source: Media Tel